Bobbin gate control for looms



Jan. 4, 1966 H. w. THATCHER ETAL 3,227,139

BOBBIN GATE CONTROL FOR LOOMS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 4, 1964 INVENTOR. HARRY WILLIAM THHTCHER. BY GORDON S. ROBINSON.

A TTORNEYV 1966 H. w. THATCH'ER ETAL I 3,227,189

BOBBIN GATE CONTROL FOR LOOMS Filed Feb. 4, 1964 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l L1 INVENTOR. C HARRY WILURMTHHTCHER. By coaoow S. ROBINSON.

ATTORNEY United States Patent This invention pertains to looms of the so-calledfly shuttle type and is more specifically devoted to miniproved means for guiding and presenting filling bobbins fortransfer toa loom shuttle.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a bobbin gate control for loomsutilizing filling bobbins wound by the direct spun system.

It' is a further object to provide a bobbin'gate control for restricting the how of bobbins from a bobbin magazine and for presenting them individually to the bobbin transfer position. i i

A' further object of theinvention is to provide a bobbin gate control that'can be adjusted to accommodate differentsizes of filling packages;

A further and more specific object is to provide a bobbin gate control for maintaining clearance between the bobbin in transfer position andthe preceding bobbins being guided from the magazine thereby eliminating the frictional contact therebetween and mitigating the removal of the tailwindand tip bunch duringthe transfer cycle.

Further objects and advantages of the inventionwill' become apparent from the following more detailed disclosure.

Prior to the instant invention filling bobbins were permittedto travel from the magazine "into the'guidingchute disposed beneathsaid magazineby means of gravity, and

commencing with the bobbin in transfer position each bobbin was in frictional contact with the filling bobbin preceding it. This manner of guiding and directing the bobbins to that'position for transfer into a loom shuttle presented certain-undesirable conditions which'the device accordingto the instant inventionnow prevents.

With the flow of bobbins being controlled by gravity, thefrictional contact between the bobbin in transfer position and its predecessor plus the'weightof the remaining bobbins in the guiding chute did not-permit the tailwind extendingfrom'the tip bunchand around the main package to be easily removed with the tipbunch. Under such a condition the tailwind often breaks and the remaining slub is easily carried into the fabric shed resulting in fabric of an inferior quality. This pressure and frictional contact with the bobbin in transfer position areoftensufficient so thatthe'tipbunch when being removed by the extractor is pulled out of the extractor jaws resulting in an incomplete transfer; that is to say, the bobbin is transferred into the shuttle but is not threaded through the shuttle eye. A condition of this nature is detected on the firstpick of the shuttle by the center fork filling motion resulting in another indicationfor filling replenishment and the ejection ofthe unspent bobbin.

The device according to the instant invention has correctedthese undesirable conditions described above by providing a bobbingate control whichis adapted to cooperate with thebobbins in the bobbin chute and being mechanically linked to the transferring mechanism, it is timed to restrict the flow of bobbins in the chute duringa portion ofthe transferring cycle and to permit the flow of bobbins in the chute during another portion of said cycle.

In effect, the gatecontrol alleviates the removal of the tip bunch and tailwind by maintaining a separation between the bobbin in transfer position and theremaining bobbins inthe bobbin chute. Additionally, the gate control func- 3,227,189 Patented Jan. 4, 1966 tions to segregate the bobbin immediately preceding that bobbin in transfer position from the latter bobbin and those remaining inthe bobbin chute, and during the transfer cycle it is caused to urge mechaiiicadlly the segregated bobbin into the proper position for the next filling replenishment indication.

The invention will'be described hereinafter in greater detail by reference to the accompanying figures of drawing, in which:

FlG. l is a plan view of a portion of the replenishment side of the loom to which the invention hasbeen applied shown broken away and taken generally along line 1-1 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 in a view in side elevation and partially in section of niany of the parts illustrated in FIG. 1 and showing the relationship of the filling bobbins to the bobbin gate control unit comprising the invention;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of the left-hand bobbin gate member; and

FIG. 4'is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 but showing one of the positions the bobbin gates and follower are caused to assume during the transfer 'cycle.

Now referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the invention applies to the filling replenishment side of a loom which includes a bobbin chute generally indicated by numeral 10" disposed beneath a bobbin magazine or hopper (not shown) from which filling bobbins 11 are directed and guided for transfer to a loom shuttle 12. The bobbin chute includes an upper chute member 13 and a lower for guidingthe filling bobbins therebetween.

A bobbin 11 when in transfer position (FIG. 2) is supported in a known manner by a bobbin guide 15, a pivotable bobbin support 16, and a spring biased top holder (not shown) which is adapted to guide the tip portion of said bobbin.

The transferrer generally indicated by numeral 17 in FIG. 1 having a transferrer head shaftlS also functions in a known manner to replenish a loom shuttle with a new bobbin and to eject the spent bobbin therefrom.

As the general construction and operation of this type of'loom is .Well known and" familiar to those conversant with the" art, and as the invention is entirely concerned Withthe bobbin chute gate control; it is only considered necessary'here toillustrate and describe those parts of a m directly concerned with a preferred form of the present invention.

The device according to the instant invention includes a bobbin gate bracket member indicated generally by numeral19having a main body portion 20 which is attached to" the upper chute member 13 by means ofcap screws 21 and"22. The forward end of the main body portion 20 is provided with an integrally formed and downwardly directed arcuated finger 23 which terminates" intheform of ahub 24. A bobbin gate shaft 25 is journaled in hub 24andextending from each'side thereof it is provided with aligned'rightand left-hand bobbin gates, hand by numeral 27. These bobbin gates are fixedly attached to the gate shaft 25 by means of set screws 28' and 29, respectively, and are movable simultaneously in amanner to be more fully described hereinafter.

Hub 24'is provided with an extended neck portion 30 on whicha torsiontypespringlal is adapted to assemble; The ends of spring 31 are directed at an angle substantiallyperpendicular to its coils with one end thereof being seated'in an aperture providedin finger 23 immediately above the hub 24; The opposite end of this spring is seated inan appropriate aperture provided on the inner side of the right-hand bobbin gate 26 and being assembled in this manner, both the right-and left-hand bobbin gates are continually urged in an anti-clockwise direction as 3 seen looking from the right-hand side of the loom (FIG. 2).

The main body portion of the bobbin gate bracket 19 is provided with a centrally disposed and downwardly directed lug member 32 positioned rearwardly of the arcuated finger 23 and is integrally formed with said main body portion. This lug member serves to support a generally U-shaped bobbin gate follower 33 which is mechanically linked to and adapted to cooperate with the bobbin gates 26 and 27. The bobbin gate follower 33 is pivotally supported by means of a shaft member 34 which is fixedly positioned in the lug member 32 by means of a set screw 35. The ends of the shaft member 34 extending outwardly from each side of the lug member 32 are adapted to assemble in aligned and centrally disposed apertures provided in the leg portions 36 and 37 of the bobbin gate follower 33 (FIG. 1).

A bobbin gate follower shaft 38 assembles in aligned apertures provided in the forward ends of the leg portions 36 and 37 of the bobbin gate follower 33 and the ends of said shaft extending outwardly from each side of said leg portions are slidably received into aligned channels or recesses 39 and 40 provided on the upper and inner side of the rightand left-hand bobbin gates 26 and 27, respectively. The bobbin gates 26 and 27 being mechanically linked to the bobbin gate follower 33 in this manner cause the latter to pivot in a clockwise direction when the gate members are caused to pivot in an anti-clockwise direction and then in the opposite direction when said gate members are caused to be moved in a clockwise direction.

The bobbin gates 26 and 27 are caused to pivot first in one direction and then the other by means of the transferred head shaft 18. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the right-hand bobbin gate 26 is provided at its forward end with a bifurcated portion 41 through which the transferrer head shaft 18 is caused to extend.

In operation, a bobbin 11 is in transfer position as shown at the lower left in FIG. 2 and when an indication is given for filling replenishment, the transferrer head shaft 18 is forced downwardly in a known manner as shown in FIG. 4 to transfer that bobbin into the shuttle 12 and to eject the spent bobbin therefrom. Movement of the transferrer head shaft 18 from that position depicted in FiG. 2 to that position shown in FIG. 4 causes the bobbin gates 26 and 27 to pivot in an anti-clockwise direction causing the bobbin gate follower 33 to move in a clockwise direction.

Movement of the bobbin gate follower in this manner pushes a first or the next bobbin to a position between said follower and the bobbin gates as shown in FIG. 4.

During the return of the transferrer head shaft 18 to its initial position, the shaft enters the bifurcated portion 41 of the right-hand bobbin gate 26 causing the latter and the left-hand bobbin gate 27 to pivot in a clockwise direction. This movement brings the heel portions 42 and 43 of the bobbin gates 26 and 27, respectively, into contact with the first filling bobbin urging the latter into transfer position. At this time the bobbin gate follower is moving in an anti-clockwise direction and after having moved the limit of its travel, sufficient clearance is provided to allow the next or second bobbin in the bobbin chute to roll into that position depicted in FIG. 2 underneath the gate follower.

The bobbin gate control is adjustable to accommodate bobbins having filling packages of different diameters. To accomplish this adjustability, shaft member 34 is provided with a fixedly positioned and centrally disposed bushing 44 which is journaled in the lug member 32. Shaft member 34 is eccentrically poositioned in bushing 44 and is provided with a screw driver slot 45 on the outer end thereof. By loosening set screw 35 and then turning shaft member 34 in one direction or the other, the bobbin gate follower 33 can be raised or lowered slightly to provide clearance for the size filling package being utilized. Retightening of set screw 35 maintains the follower 33 in the desired operating position.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. In a loom for weaving having a filling hopper for retaining a supply of filling bobbins and a bobbin chute adapted to receive and guide the bobbins from said hopper to present them for transfer to a loom shuttle, a

r bobbin chute gate control including a pivotable gate member for alternately restricting and permitting the passage of bobbins in said bobbin chute, and for urging a bobbin into transfer position, a pivotable gate follower associated with said gate member for initially urging said bobbin to a position to be acted upon by said gate member.

2. In a loom for weaving having a filling hopper for retaining a supply of filling bobbins and a bobbin chute adapted to receive and guide the bobbins from said hopper to present them for transfer to a loom shuttle, a bobbin chute gate control including axially aligned and remotely disposed rightand left-hand bobbin gate members movable simultaneously for restricting and permitting the passage of bobbins in said bobbin chute, and for urging a bobbin into transfer position, a pivotable bobbin gate follower disposed intermediate said gate members and mechanically linked thereto for initially urging said bobbin to a position to be acted upon by said rightand left-hand gate members.

3. In a loom for weaving having a filling hopper for retaining a supply of filling bobbins and a bobbin chute adapted to receive and guide the bobbins from said hopper to present them for transfer to a loom shuttle, a bobbin chute gate control including a pivotable gate member for alternately restricting and permitting the passage of bobbins in said bobbin chute, and for urging a bobbin into transfer position, a pivotable gate follower associated with said gate member for initially urging said bobbin to a position to be acted upon by said gate member, said gate follower being eccentrically adjustable to accommodate different sizes of filling packages.

4. For use in a loom for weaving having a filling hopper for retaining a supply of filling bobbins and a bobbin chute adapted to receive and guide the bobbins from said hopper to present them for transfer to a loom shuttle, a bobbin chute gate control including a pivotable gate member for restricting and permitting the passage of bobbins in said bobbin chute, and for urging a bobbin into transfer position, a pivotable bobbin gate follower disposed intermediate said gate members and mechanically linked thereto for initially urging said bobbin to a position to be acted upon by said rightand left-hand gate members.

5. For use in a loom for weaving having a filling hopper for retaining a supply of filling bobbins and a bobbin chute adapted to receive and guide the bobbins from said hopper to present them for transfer to a loom shuttle, a bobbin chute gate control including axially aligned and remotely disposed rightand left-hand bobbin gate members movable simultaneously for restricting and permitting the passage of bobbins in said bobbin chute, and for urging a bobbin into transfer position, a pivotable bobbin gate follower disposed intermediate said gate members and mechanically linked thereto for initially urging said bobbin to a position to be acted upon by said rightand left-hand gate members.

6. For use in a loom for weaving having a filling hopper for retaining a supply of filling bobbins and a bobbin chute adapted to receive and guide the bobbins from said hopper to present them for transfer to a loom shuttle,

a bobbin chute gate control including a pivotable gate member for restricting and permitting the passage of bobbins in said bobbin chute; and for urging a bobbin into transfer position, a pivotable bobbin gate follower disposed intermediate said gate members and mechanically linked thereto for initially urging said bobbin to a position to be acted upon by said rightand left-hand gate members, said pivotable gate follower being eccentrically adjustable to accommodate different sizes of filling packages.

7. In a loom for weaving having a filling hopper for retaining a supply of filling bobbins and a bobbin chute adapted to receive and guide the bobbins from said hopper to present them for transfer to a loom shuttle, a bobbin chute gate control including a pivotable means adapted upon the initial movement thereof to restrict the flow of bobbins in said chute and to urge an individual bobbin to a position intermediate said pivotablemeans and transfer position and further adapted upon the return movement of said pivotable means to urge said individual bobbin to transfer position.

8. For use in a loom for weaving having a filling hopper for retaining a supply of filling bobbins and a bobbin chute adapted to receive and guide the bobbins from said hopper to present them for transfer to a loom shuttle, a bobbin chute gate control including dual co-acting pivotable means adapted upon the initial movement thereof to restrict the flow of bobbins in said chute and to urge an individual bobbin to a position intermediate said pivotable means and transfer position and further adapted upon the return movement of said pivotable means to urge said individual bobbin to transfer position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,554,372 9/1925 Richardson 139-251 1,652,604 12/1927 Brouwer 139 251 2,566,880 9/1951 Fisetetal. 139 251 FOREIGN PATENTS 869,630 3/1953 Germany.

1 ,625 5/1935 Switzerland.

DONALD W. PARKER, Primary Examiner. 

7. IN A LOOM FOR WEAVING HAVING A FILLING HOPPER FOR RETAINING A SUPPLY OF FILLING BOBBINS AND A BOBBIN CHUTE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AND GUIDE THE BOBBINS FROM SAID HOPPER TO PRESENT THEM FOR TRANSFER TO A LOOM SHUTTLE, A BOBBIN CHUTE GATE CONTROL INCLUDING A PIVOTABLE MEANS ADAPTED UPON THE INITIAL MOVEMENT THEREOF TO RESTRICT THE FLOW OF BOBBINS IN SAID CHUTE AND TO URGE AN INDIVIDUAL BOBBIN TO POSITION INTERMEDIATE SAID PIVOTABLE MEANS AND TRANSFER POSITION AND FURTHER ADAPTED UPON THE RETURN MOVEMENT OF SAID PIVOTABLE MEANS TO URGE SAID INDIVIDUAL BOBBIN TO TRANSFER POSITION. 